Got Veins?

Everyone does! But I am not referring to ordinary healthy veins. I am talking about unsightly spider veins and painful varicose veins. According to the American College of Phlebology, an organization of over 2,000 vein care professionals, over 25 million people in the U.S. are suffering from some type of vein disorder.

The ACP is at the leading edge of advancements in the treatment of venous disorders. Thanks to their efforts, less-invasive treatments for these problem veins are now available in many vein clinics across the country. These treatments are safe and effective with very little downtime.

The gold standard for treatment of spider veins remains sclerotherapy injections. Solutions utilized in vein clinics today are more comfortable for patients than older therapies. Foam sclerotherapy can also provide better cosmetic improvement. For needle-phobic patients, improved cosmetic lasers are an option.

Varicose veins are a medical condition involving internal vessels that are malfunctioning, a condition referred to as venous insufficiency. This condition often leads to symptoms such as aching, swelling, cramping, leg fatigue and heaviness. At times, restless leg syndrome is actually due to venous insufficiency. The cure has always been to remove the source of the problem â€“ the malfunctioning inner vein. We can now do this with minimally invasive techniques that can be performed quickly and safely in an office setting.

So why waste time dealing any longer with unsightly spider veins or painful varicose veins? Contact a vein specialist and schedule an appointment to get your legs looking and feeling better. VT

By Dr. LEESA RICHARDSON, Special Contributor

Dr. Leesa Richardson is the owner of The Vein Treatment & Aesthetic Center. She is a member of the American College of Phlebology and a Diplomate of The American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine.